University of Wisconsin President Ray Cross on Tuesday asked the Legislature's budget-writing committee to approve a new public authority for the UW System, a "dedicated and stable funding stream" and to reduce the governor's proposed $300 million budget cut over the next two years.

Shortly after he finished his testimony, a handful of protesters burst into the room shouting, "No cuts, no deals." Followed by four Capitol police officers, the protesters marched past the table where Cross was sitting to give testimony before the Joint Committee on Finance.

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(3)

Council committee sets hearing on Fire and Police appointee

Bowing to increased public pressure for a fuller discussion on the operations of the Fire and Police Commission, and the confirmation process for commission nominees, Ald. Terry Witkowski said Thursday that his Public Safety Committee will hold a special meeting next Thursday in the Common Council chambers at City Hall.

While the purpose of the meeting is to consider Mayor Tom Barret's appointment of Ann Wilson to a vacancy on the Fire and Police Commission, Witkowski said committee members also will hear and discuss the current role and duties of the Fire and Police Commission.

The committee is expected to meet in the morning at City Hall on regular business. But at 1 p.m. next Thursday, the committee will move to the Common Council chambers to accommodate the public.

At a news conference Thursday at City Hall, both Witkowski and Common Council President Willie Hines said the new format was intended to address the need for more public input. Both said they wanted an open and transparent process not only into the workings of the Fire and Police Commission, but also the confirmation process of nominees.

"We are conscious of what has been going on in the community," Witkowski said of controversy and turmoil surrounding police-community relations.

Witkowski said he wanted more information on the current operations of the Fire and Police Commission, how that public body compares with other commissions around the country. The city's Legislative Reference Bureau has been asked to provide research and information on fire and police commissions around the state and country, as well as how the city's commission has operated in the past.

Ald. Bob Bauman, a member of the Public Safety Commission, said he believed the Fire and Police Commission provided no accountability.

"It has evolved where there is no accountability in the fire and police departments anymore," Bauman said. "Where they are basically insulated from the elected officials in the community. The community looks to the elected officials to represent their interests with concerns and grievances. Unfortunately, we don't have the power to represent their concerns, their grievances, because the fire and police commission stands as this intermediary, this mediating institution between the actual police in the streets and the elected officials in this community."

Bauman said most citizens had no idea what the Fire and Police Commission does, and don't attend meetings (the meetings are broadcast on the city's cable channel).

"The structure we have today almost institutionalizes the fact that they won't be listened to," Bauman said.

Bauman said he was in favor of changing state law that would allow the mayor to nominate a police or fire chief, and giving the Common Council the right to confirm the nomination.

Witkowski said he would be open to expanding the number of commissioners on the Fire and Police Commission from seven to nine.

At next week's meeting, Witkowski said the public would be invited to submit written questions and provide comments in connection with Wilson's appointment. That part of the committee meeting also will be held the afternoon of Jan. 24.

Witkowski's decision to expand next week's hearing beyond Wilson's appointment comes as a group of religious and civil rights leaders on Thursday called for a more open process on Wilson's nomination.

"While we are not taking a position on the character of Ms. Wilson, it appears that Mayor Barrett's choice is driven by political expediency," said a statement issued by a group of religious and civil rights leaders. "His consultation in this selection was with known political allies rather than community leaders that have been critical of his leadership, the leadership of Chief (Edward) Flynn and the failures of the commission itself. This is not a time where decisions should be made based on politics as usual; our community needs a thoughtful and engaged process."

The statement was issued by Rev. Steve Jerbi of All Peoples Church. He was joined by the Rev. Willie Brisco, president of the Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope; James Hall of the NAACP; and several other groups.

Another set of community groups, led by the American Civil Liberties Union, also has been vocal about more public input in connection with the workings of the Fire and Police Commission.

The commission has been under fire most recently for its initial decision to suspend officer Richard Schoen for striking a handcuffed woman. After a public outcry, the commission reversed itself and fired Schoen.

Barrett and Michael Tobin, executive director of the Fire and Police Commission, said Thursday they were happy with the format for next week's meeting.

"It's important we hear what the public has to say," Tobin said. "I'm glad we are opening up the process."